What the Heck is an A1C???

On my blog I seem to mention the term A1C a lot. But I am pretty sure the majority of you who do not have diabetes has absolutely no idea what that even means. A1c or hb A1c is an average of your blood sugars for the past three months. It is important to know your A1c because it can tell you what your chances are of getting heart disease, as well as, your chances of getting diabetes. If your A1c is 5.6 or below you are all in the clear for diabetes. If your A1c is 5.7 – 6.4 you are considered pre-diabetic and your chances are getting diabetes is near. Most diabetics should shoot to be at a 7 or lower. Diabetics who are out of control are at a 9 or higher. Every time your A1c increases your chances for heart disease increases as well, which is why it is important to keep it in a normal range.

The chart below is from the Mayo Clinic and explains where your average blood sugar level is for each percent. Currently I am a 7.4 putting me a little above a 150 average. (the normal range is 100-120). Where is your A1c?

A1C level	Average blood sugar level
5 percent	80 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L)
6 percent	120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L)
7 percent	150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L)
8 percent	180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L)
9 percent	210 mg/dL (11.7 mmol/L)
10 percent	240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L)
11 percent	270 mg/dL (15 mmol/L)
12 percent	300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L)
13 percent	333 mg/dL (18.5 mmol/L)
14 percent	360 mg/dL (20 mmol/